'Discipline' by George Herbert

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Throw away thy rod,
Throw away thy wrath:
O my God,
Take the gentle path.For my heart's desire
Unto thine is bent:
I aspire
To a full consent.Not a word or look
I affect to own,
But by book,
And thy book alone.Though I fail, I weep:
Though I halt in pace,
Yet I creep
To the throne of grace.Then let wrath remove:
Love will do the deed;
For with love
Stony hearts will bleed.Love is swift of foot;
Love's a man of war,
And can shoot,
And can hit from far.Who can 'scape his bow?
That which wrought on thee,
Brought thee low,
Needs must work on me.Throw away they rod;
Though man frailties hath,
Thou art God:
Throw away thy wrath.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Discipline by George Herbert: A Masterpiece of Spiritual Poetry

Have you ever read a poem that made you feel as if the words were reaching out to you, touching your soul? George Herbert's Poetry, Discipline is one such poem that has the power to penetrate deep into the human psyche and evoke strong emotions. This masterpiece of spiritual poetry is a reflection of Herbert's deep faith and his unwavering belief in the power of discipline to lead one towards spiritual growth. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the themes, symbols, and imagery of Poetry, Discipline to understand its significance in the world of literature.

Theme of Discipline

The theme of discipline is central to the poem and is reflected in the title itself. Herbert believes that discipline is necessary for spiritual growth and that it requires a lot of effort and perseverance. He says,

"Who would loose a well-composed soul? Though the earth's circle were confined, And underneath were the hell, That soul should not be so confined By any foolish mind, But that there should be a voluntary progress up to the sky."

Herbert compares the discipline of the soul to the discipline of a musician who practices his craft diligently to improve his skills. The use of the musical metaphor is apt as Herbert was himself a musician and a composer. He believed that just as a musician needs to practice regularly to improve his skills, so too does a soul need to discipline itself to achieve spiritual growth. The theme of discipline is also reflected in the structure of the poem itself, which is in the form of a patterned sequence of stanzas, each building upon the previous one.

Symbolism of the Harp

The harp is a central symbol in the poem and is used to represent the human soul. Herbert compares the harp to a well-tuned soul that produces beautiful music when played skillfully. He says,

"A well-tuned harp shall be strung higher Than if it had the sound of all the spheres."

The harp represents the potential of the human soul to produce beautiful music when it is in harmony with its surroundings. However, the harp can also produce discordant sounds if it is not in tune. Herbert uses this metaphor to emphasize the importance of discipline in keeping the soul in tune with its surroundings. He says,

"Let pride and foolish witnesse be, That do dispute, like hills, for precedencie: Shall we not by a just ascent Climb the hill Christ on which he was spent? Resurrection, and Redemption known, And here, on earth, ne'r throw downe What we build in the heav'nly towres;"

The hill that Herbert refers to is the hill of Calvary, where Christ was crucified. He believes that by following Christ's example and living a disciplined life, one can climb this hill and reach spiritual enlightenment. The use of the harp as a symbol is particularly effective as it evokes a sense of beauty and harmony that is central to Herbert's vision of spiritual growth.

Imagery of Nature

The imagery of nature is used throughout the poem to convey the beauty and harmony of the world that surrounds us. Herbert uses images of trees, birds, and flowers to emphasize the importance of being in tune with nature. He says,

"Sweet spring, full of sweet dayes and roses, A box where sweets compacted lie, My musick shows ye have your closes, And all must die."

The use of the imagery of nature is also effective in conveying the idea of spiritual growth as a natural process that requires patience and perseverance. Just as a tree needs time to grow and bear fruit, so too does a soul need time to mature and reach its full potential.

Conclusion

In conclusion, George Herbert's Poetry, Discipline is a masterpiece of spiritual poetry that reflects his deep faith and his unwavering belief in the power of discipline to lead one towards spiritual growth. The use of the themes of discipline, symbolism of the harp, and imagery of nature are particularly effective in conveying Herbert's message. Poetry, Discipline is a timeless work of literature that continues to inspire readers to this day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Discipline: A Masterpiece by George Herbert

Poetry Discipline is a classic poem written by George Herbert, a renowned English poet, and priest. The poem is a beautiful representation of the poet's religious beliefs and his devotion to God. It is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire readers even today.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, and the meter is iambic pentameter. The poem's structure is simple, yet it is filled with deep meaning and symbolism.

The first stanza of the poem talks about the poet's desire to discipline his soul and bring it closer to God. He talks about how his soul is like a horse that needs to be tamed and trained to follow the right path. The poet uses the metaphor of a horse to represent the human soul, which is often wild and untamed. He talks about how the soul needs to be disciplined and trained to follow the right path, just like a horse needs to be trained to follow the rider's commands.

The second stanza of the poem talks about the poet's struggle to discipline his soul. He talks about how difficult it is to control the soul and how it often rebels against the discipline. The poet uses the metaphor of a bird to represent the soul, which is often restless and difficult to control. He talks about how the soul needs to be tamed and trained to follow the right path, just like a bird needs to be trained to fly in the right direction.

The third stanza of the poem talks about the rewards of disciplining the soul. The poet talks about how disciplining the soul brings peace and joy to the heart. He talks about how the soul becomes like a well-tuned instrument that produces beautiful music when played by a skilled musician. The poet uses the metaphor of a harp to represent the disciplined soul, which produces beautiful music when played by God.

The poem is filled with deep symbolism and metaphors that represent the poet's religious beliefs. The horse represents the human soul, which needs to be disciplined and trained to follow the right path. The bird represents the restless and difficult-to-control soul, which needs to be tamed and trained to fly in the right direction. The harp represents the disciplined soul, which produces beautiful music when played by God.

The poem's message is clear: discipline is essential for the human soul to follow the right path and find peace and joy. The poet's religious beliefs are evident in the poem, and he uses beautiful metaphors and symbolism to convey his message. The poem is a beautiful representation of the poet's devotion to God and his desire to bring his soul closer to Him.

The poem's language is simple yet powerful, and the rhyme scheme and meter add to its beauty. The poem's structure is simple, yet it is filled with deep meaning and symbolism. The poem's message is timeless and continues to inspire readers even today.

In conclusion, Poetry Discipline is a masterpiece by George Herbert, a renowned English poet, and priest. The poem is a beautiful representation of the poet's religious beliefs and his devotion to God. The poem's message is clear: discipline is essential for the human soul to follow the right path and find peace and joy. The poem's language is simple yet powerful, and the rhyme scheme and meter add to its beauty. The poem is a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire readers even today.

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